UPDATE:  According to a press release just now from the Met, La Cieca’s prediction is already halfway true: “Peter Mattei will sing the title role in Mozart’s Don Giovanni on October 17 and 22 evening, in addition to the new production premiere tomorrow night, October 13. As previously announced he is replacing Mariusz Kwiecien, who has injured his back. The role of Don Giovanni is TBA for October 25 and 29 matinee.

“Rodion Pogossov will sing the role of Figaro in Il Barbiere di Siviglia on October 22 matinee, replacing Mattei.”

PREVIOUSLY: Okay, here goes La Cieca out on her limb. Based almost completely on guesswork, she says this is how it will go down: Mariusz Kwiecien will take at least a month off to recover from his back surgery, leaving Peter Mattei to perform the title role in the Met’s new production of Don Giovanni through October 29, the HD telecast. If La Cieca knows Peter Gelb (and who among us can say he really knows Peter Gelb?), the impresario has made the necessary arrangements for Mattei to arrive in Milan in time for rehearsals of the La Scala Don Giovanni, opening their season on December 7.